Upgrade Guide
Ricoh GR II→Ricoh GR IIIx
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the GR II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the GR IIIx
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Resolution24MP vs 16MP (+8MP)
-
Generation6 years newer (2021 vs 2015)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | GR II | GR IIIx | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +2.4 | ||
| Street | +0.8 | ||
| Travel | +0.7 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.4 | ||
| Documentary | +1.2 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Casual | +2.0 | ||
| Food | +2.0 | ||
| Macro | +1.7 | ||
| Architecture | +0.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.2 | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | GR II | GR IIIx | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £1,099 | |
| Released | 2015 | 2021 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 16.2MP APS-C CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 16MP | 24MP | ↑ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60 | 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF: multi, spot, pinpoint, tracking, face detection; Snap focus | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) | |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 4fps | |
| Battery Life | ~320 shots (CIPA) | 200 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 251g (with battery) | 232g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | None built in (optional optical GV-1 / GV-2) | No viewfinder | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" fixed touchscreen | |
| Mount | Fixed 28mm-equiv f/2.8 lens | Fixed 40mm-equiv f/2.8 lens | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD UHS-I |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See GR II and GR IIIx next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the GR IIIx against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the GR II
Related buying guides
Camera family history